Stockton Wellbeing Hub website
We partnered with Stockton's new Wellbeing Hub to create a user-centred, accessible and planet-friendly website that supports the community's health and wellbeing.
From overcoming platform challenges to delivering comprehensive training, this case study showcases our commitment to developing digital solutions that truly make a difference.
A website for wellbeing
We were approached by Catalyst, Stockton as they were looking to create a website for their Wellbeing Hub— a space where people can access support and activities aimed at improving their health and wellbeing.
The project was a collaborative effort involving several stakeholders, including; Catalyst, NHS, Stockton Council, Citizens Advice, Change Grow Live, and Impact on Teesside.
The primary goal was to develop a user-friendly, accessible website that would serve the needs of the community.
However, one of the main challenges was identifying the right platform that could accommodate the required functionality while being easy for the team to manage, and use renewable energy to power it’s hosting.
Design, develop, implement
Our role in this project was to design, develop, and implement the website. We were responsible for these aspects, while we collaborated with the Wellbeing Hub team on the content.
The task also included ensuring the site met accessibility standards, adhered to brand guidelines, and was built on a platform that allowed the team to easily update and manage the content.
Additionally, we were responsible for delivering training on using the CMS and ensuring digital accessibility. I’m also in the process of organising cyber security training for the team.
From research to roll-out
To begin, we conducted desk research and semi-structured interviews with individuals who had previously accessed wellbeing support. These insights were crucial in shaping the user-centred design of the website.
We attended stakeholder meetings to share initial ideas and emphasise the importance of accessibility and ease of use.
After evaluating various platforms, we selected Squarespace as it offered the necessary functionality and was easy for the team to use, as well as being hosted using renewable energy.
During the development phase, we ensured the website adhered to WCAG AA compliance standards, and adopted a mobile-first approach, prioritising the design for mobile devices, given that a we’d found in reasearch that a significant portion of users would access the site on their mobile devices.
Throughout the process, we collaborated closely with the Wellbeing Hub team to refine the content, ensuring it was clear and easy to navigate.
The website underwent thorough testing before and after launch, with iterations based on user and stakeholder feedback.
We also delivered training sessions to the team on how to use the CMS effectively and how to maintain digital accessibility, along with organising cyber security training to boost their confidence in using digital tools.
Successful, rewarding and beneficial
The project was a success, with the website receiving positive feedback from both users and stakeholder leads. The site met all accessibility requirements and was easy for the team to manage, thanks to the training provided.
The client was pleased with the final outcome, and the website effectively serves the Stockton community as a central inforamtion hub for wellbeing support and activities.
This project was particularly rewarding for us as it aligned with our personal and professional ethos of working on initiatives that genuinely benefit people.